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Gene Williams brings Johnny Cash’s Tennessee Three to Branson Band guests on Gene Williams TV Show live taping March 25

     Johnny Cash’s band The Tennessee Three will be in Branson courtesy of Gene Williams. They will be guest stars on his weekly Lucas Oil sponsored “Gene Williams Country Television Show” that will be taped live on Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m. at the Branson Showcase Theatre in the Branson Mall.

     “The Tennessee Three began as the backing band for legendary Johnny Cash and toured and recorded with him for over 40 years. Today, because of the popularity of the movie ‘Walk the Line,’ they are being discovered by even more fans,” said Gene Williams. “Guitarist Bob Wootton on and WS Holland on drums, the longest standing members of Johnny Cash’s band, are carrying on the tradition they started more than 40 years ago and now they will carry on the tradition in Branson.”

     Williams is the star, producer and creator of the weekly television show that has been taped live in Branson, Mo. for six years. It is aired weekly coast-to-coast and border-to-border and in Puerto Rico. The Telly Award winning show reaches more than 23 million homes. Admission to the taping is free with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m.
    
Wootton and Holland accompanied with Vicky Wootton, vocals and rhythm guitar; Scarlett Wootton, guitar and vocals; and Lisa Horngren, upright bass; are performing worldwide to eager fans. In 2006, the group released a tribute album to Johnny Cash titled “The Sound Must Go On.”

     The band began in 1955, when Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant teamed up with JR Cash to create the band’s very distinctive sound. A few years later, Holland left Carl Perkins' band to become a permanent member of The Tennessee Three. Cash called Holland "the greatest drummer in the world” and nicknamed him “Father of the Drums.” Holland is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and in 2004 was awarded the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award for “The Heartbeat of Mega Hits For 50 Years.” He played on all of Carl Perkins’ Sun releases including the original “Blue Suede Shoes” and toured with Perkins and other Sun artists: Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Cash as a package. In 1960, Holland joined Cash and The Tennessee Two became The Tennessee Three.

     Wootton joined The Tennessee Three in 1968 following the death of Luther Perkins. When Cash hired Wootton permanently, the agreement was that Wootton would be with Cash for the rest of his life. Wooton’s voice is similar to Cash’s and he filled in the band at the request of June Carter and he seamlessly blend right in with the band, playing on most of the biggest hits of Cash's career. His unparalleled similarity to Cash’s style of singing has fans saying they are watching The Man in Black himself.
    
     Williams recently announced that in addition to their appearances on his TV show, The Tennessee Three will be appearing on stage in Branson. Williams plans to announce the location during the tapings this Sunday.

     As he approaches his 300th Branson television show, Williams has amassed an impressive list of guest stars. They have included Mickey Gilley, Doug Kershaw, Ed McMahon, the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Barbara Fairchild, Sons of the Pioneers, the Osmonds including Jimmy Osmond, Helen Cornelius, Leona Williams, Bob Anderson, Fred Travalena, Charlie Louvin, Narvel Felts, Margo Smith, Mary Lou Turner, Cal Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Norma Jean, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Jim Owen, Buck Trent, the Duttons, Johnny Lee, the Haygoods, Gary P. Nunn, Todd Fritch and Razzy Bailey.

     “Little did we anticipate when WS Holland was on my show a few years ago, that he would return as part of The Tennessee Three to announce performing on a regular basis in a Branson theater. It was in idea that took wings,” said Williams.

     During his exciting career, Williams has also worked with such greats in addition to Cash as the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Minnie Pearl and Jack Greene. Among his achievements are receiving an honorary doctorate St. Martins College and Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., in television and broadcast communications in recognition of his community commitment to the industry and being honored for his contributions to the tourism industry by the Missouri Senate and the State of Arkansas. He is credited with having the largest syndicated country music television show not affiliated with Nashville and with breaking ground for country television. His television career led to the making of his motion pictures, Sound of Country Music and Country Music Jamboree. He is an inductee to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and a Grand Ole Opry DJ of the Year.

     For more information on the vast number of stations and time slots in which the “Gene Williams Show” is seen go to genewilliamscountry.com. For a preview of The Tennessee Three go to tennesseethree.com.